WEST TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — West Vigo High School seniors Maci Easton and Adelynn Harris want people to take advantage of the assets in their community.

When the two became part of Purdue Extension Vigo County’s pilot program “My Hometown is Cool”, along with other students in their class, they decided to address the fact that some of those assets aren’t well-known.

“Our problem that we came up with in our community was the reputation of West Terre Haute,” Easton said. “So we decided that we wanted to promote all the great things that West Terre Haute has to offer.”

That promotion is taking the form of “Taste of West Terre Haute”, a weekend-long event happening this weekend. Local businesses like Macksville Coffee Co., Grandma Vera’s and Sycamore Winery will have specials to offer customers as part of the event.

The experience also encourages people to visit the Wabashiki Fish and Wildlife Area and St. Mary-of-the-Woods campus.

“This weekend we’re just encouraging people to go out and visit those places who don’t normally go to those places,” Harris said.

The project is funded through the Oakley Foundation Grant, which is also funding another “My Hometown is Cool” project – a community garden.

Purdue Extension is also planning to bring the program to Terre Haute North and Terre Haute South High Schools.